Child passenger restraint use and emergency department–reported injuries: A special study using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System–All Injury Program, 2004

Introduction: In 2004, more than 180,000 child passengers aged ≤ 12 years sought care in U.S. hospital emergency departments (EDs) for injuries sustained in motor-vehicle crashes (MVCs). Method: We expanded the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System–All Injury Program for 635 injured children aged ≤ 12 years treated at 15 hospital EDs in 2004 by collecting multiple injury diagnoses and interviewing parents about MVC circumstances. Results: Nine percent of the children were unrestrained and 36% were inappropriately restrained. Blacks and Hispanics were about six times more likely to be unrestrained than Non–Hispanic Whites (12% and 14%, respectively, vs. 2%). Seventy–seven percent of inappropriate restraint use occurred among children aged 4–8 years, who were prematurely placed in seatbelts. Eight percent of children required hospitalization; unrestrained children were three times more likely to be hospitalized than restrained children (21% vs. 7%). Conclusion: Age–appropriate restraint use should be promoted for child passengers, particularly among Blacks, Hispanics, and children riding in trucks.